Garfield Cat

The bike review itself: Looks like the review took many days and in the U.S. This type of review might be different than the other reviews. Where is this guy from? Did he come all the way just to do a ride and a review?

TimothyH

Jason O'Malley is from Southern Austraillia but resides in Gainsville, Florida. He runs the site gravelcyclist.com and fields a gravel racing team.
His credentials are legit.

-Tim-

Danny01

These Niner RLT's, be it steel or carbon are not THAT over priced. However it can be cheaper to start with the frameset and source the parts online. The framesets are a bit expensive. MSRP is $2,300 for the RDO. For only $400 more, you can get a Jamis Renegade Expert, the entire bike. Carbon frame, thru axles, Shimano 105 hydros, carbon seatpost, good tires, nice bar tape. They want $1,500 for the 853 version. For about $300 more, you can get a Made in USA custom geometry, made to measure, Gunnar frame and fork. So yeah Niners are not the value choice, but they aren't a rip off compared to some big name brands out there that charge $5,000+ for poorly built carbon frames. A couple hundred bucks over its competitors is whatever if someone wants the Niner for whatever reason. If I had the space and a couple grand to burn, I would have one of each of the RDO and 853 and not have a problem paying retail. Maybe next year...

jimincalif

Got an email from the owner of my LBS today, they have a 4-star coming in next week that I will be able to check out. Looking forward to it.

Garfield Cat

What other bikes are like the Niner RTL as far as price point?

Danny01

Comparatively, prices vary depending on the build or frameset but a couple that spring to mind are: Open U.P., Orbea Terra, and 3T Exploro.

Marcus_Ti

None of these have rack points. About the only similar bike that does is Rodeo's Trail Donkey

Danny01

Rack points are of zero importance to me on a carbon frame. If I was to load up a bike it would be steel. Different strokes for different folks.

That's a sick looking bike though..

Garfield Cat

It's not enough just to discuss the bike without listening to what Jason O'Malley has to say.

I have often wondered why the Jason types do a review and not do a "compare and contrast" with other bikes it its division. Like Danny mentioned there are other bikes at that price point. If Jason did not review the Orbea, the Open, or the Exploro, then that would be why he did not mention them.

The other thing about the review of Niner is that Jason had to go away from Gainsville FL just to ride the Niner? Who paid for that?

TimothyH

The 3T was a featured bike - https://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle...th-shimano-di2

His long term review of the Orbea Terra is at https://www.gravelcyclist.com/videos/...ng-term-review

You can go to his website and ask him who paid for his trip. He is very approachable and usually responds to questions. He has posted here in the past.

I appreciate JOMs reviews in the same way I appreciate learning from coworkers who have more experience than I. If your concern is actually discussing the Niner RLT 9 RDO rather than what a reviewer has to say then I would be happy to answer any questions you might have and would like to hear what you have to say about it.


-Tim-

mstateglfr 

Yes, ive often thought this too.
I have my guesses as to why and most involve not burning bridges for free stuff since thats his livlihood.

Metieval

I actually Appreciate Jayson not doing comparisons!

Just the same as I appreciate Clint comparing the AL/steel/RDO RTL bikes. Especially now that Clint has ridden and dropped a youtube video on all of the RTL frame materials.

For Example, Clint dropped a video on the Al. RLT and it was better, and.......

...but then it wasn't (for reasons) and he gave it up for steel, and the steel was so much better, and.......

...but, then it wasn't stiff enough, so now he has an RDO.

as a consumer we need to read/watch reviews with open minds. It also helps to know where a person is coming from and what their priorities are, be it Jayson or Clint or others.
Rebecca Rusch was all Crux praise, best bike ever until she wasn't Specialized and is now a Niner girl. Now all of a sudden the RDO is the best bike ever. Welcome to sponsorship and free stuff. None of that will ever change.

as consumers we have to read between the lines. Jayson has a thing for fat tires! Of course his Mud reasoning is Legit. However in my opinion his Plus tire love goes above and beyond the Mud clearance reason. His love for plus tires falls into the same reason Jason really loves titanium frames.

Sometimes its not about what they say in a review, but what they don't say.

As in Jaysons only peeve on the RDO was tire clearance. really? If it eats up rough like no bike ever has before, then drop a 33/34 tire on it and go flipping ride some mud. and give us an actual reality on how well it mud rides. If it isn't swamp that 33/34 tire isn't going to sink very far. It also won't pick up near as much mud, and won't need as much clearance. Call me a skeptic, and others with the RDO that have years of riding on them can tell me mud clearance sucks. As of yet I haven't picked up on that from actual RDO owners. I have picked up on the fact that many would like to run larger tires. but never for mud reasons.

So where is the truth on the RDO? It's the best gravel bike Jayson has ever ridden regardless of if he says it isn't because it doesn't have mud clearance. LOL

TimothyH

To be clear, JOM's comments about it being the best bike he has ever ridden were in the context of its ability to handle very rough surfaces such as washboard.

It wasn't a comment that it was the best bike he has ever ridden period. He was talking about rough surfaces, bumps and washboard in particular.


-Tim-

tyrion

Exactly. These top athletes have a right to make some money but take what they say with a grain of salt. Take what anyone says with a grain of salt, but if they're being paid to say it, take more grains of salt.

TimothyH

Jason O'Malley is neither a "Top rider" nor a sponsored athlete. He is no slouch in the saddle but is just a guy with a full time job and a blog.

It is clear that many commenting here have not even looked at his site. That is a shame because it is one of the best sources of information on gravel riding out there.


-Tim-

Metieval

You mean Jayson aka JOM?

Danny01

this guy had issues with 3 RDO framesets.

shelbyfv

I enjoy the videos. They go to lots of events, fun to see the various riding conditions.

TimothyH

Yes. His name is Jayson. My bad. Sorry.


-Tim-

Hiro11

Is Niner seen as some sort of cool brand? The pricing does seem rather high here. It's certainly "full retail, brand with cache" pricing at the very least. Note: I make no judgement here on the value of the bike or on people purchasing one, I'm merely commenting on the pricing.

mstateglfr 

Its certainly a boutiqueish brand when compared to the overall market with the pricing and tech they use.

Metieval

has anyone ever spent the time to actually look at the Triangle of the RDO? If you continue an imaginary line from the down tube it would miss the BB, and actually run in front of the BB.
I am pretty sure this is where they (Niner) are getting their washboard compliance with the RDO. How does this effect efficiency though?
I have never heard anyone talk about this geometry in their reviews of the RDO. And it isn't near as obvious a driveside chainstay drop used by Open Cycles and on the 3T exploro and a few other bikes.

As for Niner, I suppose most of my dislike comes from their marketing approach. Which I'd liken to Trek marketing approach back in the day. Buy a Trek Lance Armstrong rides a Trek. (and I actually like Lance) I just disagree with that kind of marketing. It's actually a turn off more than an attraction.

anyways about the Geometry of the Down tube. Curious!

Chi_Z

anyone tired to fit 650B on it? would 47mm WTB horizon fit?

Metieval

i have not personally tried.

but to my Knowledge it doesn't fit on the Carbon RLT RDO version, but it will fit on the steel and aluminum RLT frames.

gravelslider

My local shop used to carry both Niner and Jamis Renegade. They said when people ride both side by side 90% of people buy the Jamis. The Niner was "same thing but at least 30% more expensive."